It’s the topic that won’t go away - glyphosate is constantly in the spotlight. Farming industry leaders are now campaigning to secure the future of this active ingredient.
And in groundcare, contractors, groundsmen and local authorities are even more exposed to public opinion as parks, open spaces and street maintenance teams are in constant contact with the community.
Manda Sansom, Technical Development Manager at Monsanto, manufacturer of glyphosate herbicide Roundup, comments, “Glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides are among the most thoroughly tested and evaluated pesticide products in the world. Their 40-year history of safe use is supported by one of the most extensive worldwide human health, crop residue and environmental databases ever compiled on any pesticide.”
What is happening now with glyphosate?
The current licence for glyphosate was due to expire at the end of June 2016 and because no decision on its renewal had been taken by the European Commission’s Standing Committee the licence was extended for a further 18 months to allow for the European Chemicals Agency, (ECHA), to prepare its scheduled Safety Assessment.
In parallel, the Commission proposed certain restrictions for glyphosate during the 18 month extension period.
Amendments to glyphosate authorisations require Member States to ensure that plant protection products containing glyphosate do not contain the co-formulant POE-tallowamine, (also referred to as POE-t or ETA).
A transitional period for the sale and distribution of ETA-containing products up to 30th June 2017 and for disposal, storage and use of existing stocks until 30th June 2018 is now in force. This means end users have until the end of June 2018 to legally use up all such products, but retailers must sell out by the end of June this year.
In addition, Member States were instructed to pay particular attention to Groundwater in vulnerable areas, with particular respect to non-crop uses, and risks from the use in specific areas referred to Article 12(a) of Directive 2009/128/EC (Sustainable Use Directive).
Herbicide authorisations issued in the UK by the Chemicals Regulation Directorate have taken these risks into account, so you can be confident that using glyphosate products according to the label will be compliant with this EU regulation.
What happens next?
The EU approval process will start again - once the scheduled Safety Assessment from the ECHA is issued in March - and will be completed by 31st December 2017.
Will I still be able to buy glyphosate products during this process?
Product availability will continue throughout, with the exception that products containing ETA will cease to be on sale from 30th June 2017.
What can I do to help safeguard glyphosate’s future?
Use up products containing ETA by 30th June 2018 and switch to products which do not use this ingredient such as Monsanto’s Roundup range.
Ensure that you are demonstrating best practice when using glyphosate - following product label recommendations and complying with SUD.
Look at techniques such as spot spraying to restrict spray to the target plant and discuss with clients the suitability of more frequent, targeted applications to smaller plants which may lower overall volumes.
How can I reassure clients or members of the public?
Use social media or the local press to your advantage to showcase responsible spraying and its benefits for the local community, such as safer play areas, protection of their property from invasive weeds and maintaining an attractive environment in which to live and work.
Join the Amenity Assured Scheme to demonstrate your commitment to best practice and safe spraying.
Utilise the Amenity Forum’s Get Moving campaign which highlight how proper weed control impacts upon health and well-being, safety and the environment, featuring a range of public information materials which can be distributed to their customers by contractors and local authorities.
